FURI | Summer 2020

Experimental Study of Optical Force Measurement Techniques

The objective of this project is to experimentally measure the optical force reflected by a sample using two methods of measurement. One tuning fork-based and one laser-cantilever optical force measurement system were developed in order to quantify the optical force by two means: an oscillating probe from which distinct frequencies can be measured, and a change in deflection measured by a position-sensitive detector, respectively. The measured force will serve as a basis for the understanding and implementation of a particle-repellent coating for electronics and space exploration technologies.